Upper Elementary: 3rd through 6th Grade
Our 3rd through 6th graders begin their Sunday morning at 9:30 in the sanctuary with a T’filah prayer service. At 10:00am, they go to the religious school building, our Merkaz Limud, for instruction. The 3rd-6th grade classes use the Chai Curriculum which focuses on three strands of Jewish learning: Torah, Avodah, and G’milut Chasadim. Students have a break for challah and recess. After recess we begin our Hebrew learning and, during some part of the year, we also have electives.
The day ends at 12:30pm with car line and pick-up in front of the religious school.
New students to our program are given a diagnostic test to determine their level of Hebrew.
Judaics and Hebrew Curriculum Overview
Our 3rd through 6th grade uses a vertically articulated Chai curriculum, designed by the Union for Reform Judaism.
3rd Grade: My Jewish actions can help bring kedushah--holiness into the world.
Our 3rd Graders continue learning the ways that Jewish laws and customs that have been passed down can help them live a life filled with holy moments. They learn the ways that their actions can impact the world.
4th Grade: As a part of the Jewish people, I have the responsibility to strive towards holiness.
Our 4th Grade students examine the covenant of the Jewish people (our brit) to understand how g'milut chasadim--acts of kindness--can improve our lives and the lives of those whom we encounter each day. They explore the ways that we can work together to create a positive impact on the world.
5th Grade: I have a responsibility to myself and the Jewish community to live an upright/just life.
Our 5th Graders examine the role that community plays in their life and the lives of others. Through Torah, prayer, and acts of kindness, they learn to strengthen their ties to the Jewish people and create a healthy spiritual life. Using the words of the prophets, they learn to be mensches in the world.
6th Grade: We can experience The Sacred and create holiness by engaging with our past and our present.
Our 6th Graders consider the ways that they can reflect the sacred teachings of our tradition in their daily actions. Students study the books of Ruth, Proverbs, Psalms, and other writings to uncover meaning for themselves. They explore ways that engaging in G'milut Chasadim (acts of kindness) and Avodah (prayer/worship) can help them have a positive impact on themselves and their community.
Hebrew Curriculum
Students new to Hebrew will begin with Derech Binah in order to learn the Hebrew Alef-Bet and vowels. After demonstrating competency with the letters, students will move on to Shalom U'vrachah, which strengthens decoding and word recognition skills. With their newly-honed reading skills, students will move on to the three-book Kol Yisrael series, which offers a heavy emphasis on prayer. From the beginning to the end of their Hebrew studies, students will also gain some modern vocabulary through games and other activities. As a whole approach, we aim to leave students feeling confident as they approach their BMitzvah preparation.